Typically known as a cotton top with blue sailor-like stripes, the style was introduced in 1858 as the uniform of the French navy in Northern France. The original design had 21 stripes, one for each Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories and the distinctive stripes made it easier to spot wayward sailors who had fallen overboard.

The Breton striped shirt t’s definitly a basics go, as necessary as a black blazer or a pair of blue skinny jeans, (see 9 items every woman needs in her closet) and it’s so versatle. During time was worn by struggling artists like Picasso, movie stars like James Dean, modern-day It-girls like Olivia Palermo, the styling have evolved over time, but its strong effect has remained the same, simple and chic!

The breton stripe was worn for the very first time first in a Hollywood film in 1953, in “The Wild One” starred Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin. In the picture wee see a group of men and Lee Marvin ride motorcycles.

James Dean wearing a Breton striped top in the movie “Rebel Without a Cause” in 1955. WOW!